Wu Guang arrived at the Sect's entrance just a few minutes before the caravan appeared on the horizon. The caravan had gone around the Blue Tree City and so was easily visible from the Central Hill where the main gate was located. Considering that time was of the essence, Wu Guang did not wait, and moved to intercept it.

Yuan Taotu and Wei were guarding, which left Kuang Jing, Lan Yanzhi, Elder Di, and the two peak Spirit realm Elite's driving the carts. Surprisingly Elder Yanshi was not present, albeit he should have been accompanying the caravan as well. Still, Wu Guang had no need to ask, so after greeting everyone and explaining the reason behind his appearance, Elder Di asked Wei to take over the cart driven by Lan Yanzhi.

An hour later, Wu Guang and Lan Yanzhi had arrived before the Li shop. But the scene he saw was by far not peaceful. What also alarmed him was that albeit the doors were crashed and shouts could be heard from inside, there were no guards in sight.

Li Xia wasn't a close friend or anything, but considering that Wu Guang had arrived and he had planned to ask her for a favor, he decided to involve himself in whatever was happening.

So without thinking more about the matter, Wu Guang ignored the crashed doors and walked inside while calling

"Miss Li Xia? This is Wu Guang, I have come to request your assistance in a matter. But it seems that something has happened to your entrance. Excuse me for barging in"

Wu Guang was dressed in casual robes as all of his sect uniforms were either damaged or in scraps. Being a personal disciple, a uniform would be custom-made for him. In fact, he was already asked to go to the Refining Hall Store in a pair of days to receive it.

Inside the shop hall, there were seven people. One of them was laying on the floor and bleeding profusely. Wu Guang recognized this person as the servant that tended the store. Li Xia herself was also present. Luckily she was uninjured, but she was still being encircled by the other five people, and neither of the latter seemed to be of the good sort.

Speaking of this five, they turned toward the entrance as soon as they heard Wu Guang's voice. Seeing that the person was a teen dressed in casual clothes, they did not take him seriously and one of them, that looked like their leader shouted

"Miss Li is busy. If you want to remain healthy, scram right now!"

This assumed leader was a man in his forties, with unkempt hair and beard. Several old scars could be seen on his face and when he shouted his mouth also revealed missing teeth. His attire was similar to the one that the other four were dressed into, being common cloth robes without any print. Basically, they looked like the most common street gang. Which was surprising, after all, Blue Tree City could be said to be famous because of their superb security... something that also included the fact of no street gangs or small-time criminals.

"Offending my Young Master?! I will count to five, and if one of you little shits is not kneeling on the ground, I will rip your balls right here!" Such words were already unexpected considering the situation, well, at least how the five ruffians saw it. But when the one that said this was a pretty and young woman, it was more unbelievable. As for the woman? It was not one other than Lan Yanzhi. She had followed Wu Guang from behind, so she was only now noticed by the people inside.

"What are you talking bitch! Young Master Wu?! Who the fuck cares about some young master. And even if someone cared, how someone like him could be called a young master!!" One of the ruffians rebuked while pointing at Wu Guang.

"Courting death!" Lan Yanzhi was angered and wanted to beat them. But, she was stopped by Wu Guang's arm, which he raised before her to prevent her from rushing towards the ruffians.

"I don't know who sent you five, but I suggest you leave right now. Miss Li is someone I consider to be worthy, and so if you don't leave, I will have to make you leave" Wu Guang spoke up calmly. He had already scanned the five people and found out that albeit they were cultivators, their levels were simply too low. The strongest of them, who was the one he identified as a leader was only on the 9th level of the Body Realm. If they did not leave, Wu Guang had no need to even spend any effort to deal with them.

"You will make us leave? Boys! Beat him up and capture that nice-looking girl" As the main ruffian commanded, the four others ran towards Wu Guang and Lan Yanzhi.

"Fools..." Wu Guang muttered. Then he dropped his arm and nodded to Lan Yanzhi while saying

"Just leave them alive"

Lan Yanzhi cultivation was at the 7th level of the Spirit realm, so even without using qi, she could deal with any Body realm cultivators without any effort. She rushed to meet them and quickly incapacitated all of them. Her methods were ruthless, with one of them having both of his legs broken by a sweeping kick, another one having his collarbone shattered by a punch, and two fell down with bleeding faces after receiving a forceful slap to their faces.

"Expert!!! Spare me, spare me!! We were paid to come and make trouble here, we did not know that Miss Li had such backers. Please let me go..." The leading ruffian knelt and started kowtowing while pleading for mercy. He was so forceful with the former that he even bloodied his face with the powerful headbutts he was giving towards the floor.

"Scram" Wu Guang let him go. Hearing this, the ruffian quickly rushed out, leaving his four followers or subordinates to their fate.

Two of them were basically crippled and unconscious, so the two that remained more or less unscathed were forced to pick them up and carry them out after Wu Guang told them to scram as well.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"Master Wu! Thank you... But you should have not attacked them. They are goons, but the one who sent them here will definitively try to take revenge against anyone who attacks his people. Even if the latter are simply hired goons" Li Xia was shocked to see the previous scene, but she quickly bowed to Wu Guang before going to check on the injured servant. Most of her words were said while she already knelt down near the latter.

"So Miss Li knows who was the one that sent these ruffians?"

"I do. But that woman is extremely dangerous and has enormous influence. Thankfully your identity is not disclosed. Master Wu should quickly leave. If I am asked, I will simply say that you are a merchant guard from some other city!"

"I have to thank Miss Li for such eagerness to protect me. But do not worry, whoever is behind all this could not do me anything"

"No, Master Wu is mistaken. That woman not only has power in the city, but she also has a lot of influence inside the sect. Even if you are an inner disciple and the Sect will not let anyone target you openly, you will still be in danger"

"Miss Li, just tell me directly who is that so powerful woman"

"..."

"Girl, Young Master is asking you a question. Simply answer" Lan Yanzhi prompted Li Xia to speak. Actually, Wu Guang had already requested her several times to drop the Young Master thing, but she refused to do it since she announced her intention to become his servant on her will. In the end, Wu Guang decided to leave it like it is. He was a bit surprised about her previous outburst, but he thought she was simply angered seeing five men bullying a woman.

"She... She is the Head of the Merchant Guild in the City, Du Yang. Her influence in the city is on par with the City Lord and thanks to her brother, she has been untouchable"

"Her Brother?"

"Yes, he is an inner elder of your sect"

"Hoh? Is he surnamed Du as well?"

"Yes"

"Understood. Still, what would such family want from you?"

"Initially Du Yang tried to make me marry her son. Citing that the latter was infatuated with me. I refused and she went even so far as to prohibit me from entering the Guild"

"Hmm?"

"Yes, I can not even work as a runner now. And when I refused for the second time, she declared that I can't live in the city anymore"

"Leave the city? Isn't that a bit extreme?"

"No, for her it is not. She also demanded that I sell the shop, or I will not be able to leave either"

"And the offered price is?"

"1 gold coin"

After hearing the entire story, Wu Guang understood the situation. This Merchant Guild Head wanted to make Li Xia marry her son by hook or by crook. And if she did not, then make her lose everything.

Although Wu Guang could not even fathom why would something like this happen, after all, Li Xia was a pretty and young girl... But to go to such extremes?

Probably there was something else at play. In any case, he had already involved himself, so he should see this matter 'till the end. In his head, a plan was quickly formulated. A plan that would both solve Li Xia's situation, and also his own matter of settling Lan Yanzhi.

"Miss Li, please tell me, how much do you think this shop costs?"

"Well, the shop is fused with the house and a pair of warehouse buildings behind. Adding the location, I would suppose the real price is about 300 gold coins" Li Xia did not know why Wu Guang asked, but she answered right away while also providing an explanation.

Wu Guang was not surprised to hear such a price. Houses and stores did not cost much when compared to cultivation resources or rare weapons, and actually, his own family manor was priced similarly. Granted, most places were cheaper than the Port District, but considering the Sect location, it was understandable why Blue Tree City had similar prices. Especially for a property that had both warehouses and a storefront.

"Is the deed in your possession?"

"Yes" Li Xia answered while tilting her head. She had no idea why Wu Guang suddenly asked such a question.

"Sell this property to me then"

"I..."

"Don't worry, you will be able to live here as before. But the owner will be me, and Lan Yanzhi will live here as well"

"Master Wu meaning is?"

"Well, originally I had come to you to ask for your help in finding some kind of property to buy and settle Lan Yanzhi there. But this also works fine" Wu Guang smiled

"Is miss Lan..."

"Hmm? Lan Yanzhi is my follower" Wu Guang understood what Li Xia wanted to ask, and so explained right away.

"Hello there" Lan Yanzhi greeted casually

"Oh, yes, yes. The pleasure is all mine" Li Xia stood up and bowed courteously. She had already seen Lan Yanzhi's means to deal with the ruffians. So to say that she was a little scared of this woman would be true.

"So, what do you think? Will you sell it to me?"

"But... Du Yang..."

"Simply tell me if you will sell me this property"

"...yes"

"Good. But next time do ask about the price that someone offers you" Wu Guang answered with a small laugh

"Price? Master Wu said that I will be allowed to live here as previously, so how could I?"

"Don't worry, I will not mistreat you. Now, let me take a look at your servant"

Wu Guang quickly examined the unconscious servant and found out that his injury was not life-threatening. He would recuperate by himself as the bleeding had already stopped. Still, to make sure he took out one of the low-class remedies he had in his holding pouch and applied it to the wound. After finishing, he asked Lan Yanzhi to stay in the store and don't let anyone enter. As for himself, he urged Li Xia towards the City's manor.